Dysfunctional Absurdity

Old Opera House produces ‘The Sugar Bean Sisters’

October 18, 2012

With nothing but the light of the moon and a warm slight breeze rustling through the stalks of the sugar cane fields, two spinster sisters await their destiny only to find that things are not always what they appear to be.

Hailed as a true Southern gothic comedy, playwright Nathan Sanders brings to light all the eccentricities that come with a dysfunctional Southern family.

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Set as one night - the night before the 20-year anniversary of aliens landing on their property - sisters Willie Mae and Faye Nettles discover shocking truths about their family's past. On this evening they are visited by a Mormon bishop, a reptile woman and a bird-like woman - all adding to the absurdity of the night.

"I'd say this is part 'Steel Magnolias' and part 'Weekly World News,'" said director Will Heyser. "Sort of magical realism."

Trying to stave off spinsterhood, Willie Mae just wants to find a "good Mormon husband" while Faye wants the "space people" to come back and take her away.

"There is a lot of meat to these characters," Heyser said. "There's a lot of emotional life in (them) and seeing the relationships develop is one of the really nice things about this play."

Keith Shifflett plays the role of the transplanted Mormon bishop who has come to convert the sisters to Mormonism, but then gets caught up in their craziness.

"(The play is) very eclectic," he said. "It's not your run-of-the-mill kind of show. It gives an outside perspective to what most people consider normal. It's very interesting."

Shari Shrewsberry Martin portrays Willie Mae Nettles and she describes her character as being similar to Blanche in "A Streetcar Named Desire" - someone who is very dependent on her sister and loves her sister, yet can't stand her at the same time. Even though there is drama between the characters and Martin says mysteries will be solved and secrets revealed, she reminds everyone that it is still a comedy.

"It's outrageously funny," she said. "It's mostly what the characters say and the outrageousness of the characters."

"When it starts out, the audience is going to be wondering what the heck is going on," said Amy Hebb, who plays Faye Nettles. "I think it's a show about dreams. Each one of these characters has a dream. I don't think you'll see anything like this. It's a diamond in the rough show."

Shrouded in secrecy, all cast members admit there are strange things lurking in the swamp, but reveal little more. With plots and subplots twisting and turning like the roots of a cypress tree in the murky waters of the swamp, audience members are promised many surprises with a shocking ending.

"People aren't always who you think they are," Martin said.

"There is a definite dramatic arc in the play with a very satisfying conclusion," Heyser said.

"I think if people come and see it, they will love it," Martin added.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.oldoperahouse.org or call the box office at 304-725-4420.